Debunking the top myths about vehicle GPS tracking

To say that the logistics industry has been turned on its head over the last few years would be an understatement. We’re not talking about the sheer volume of trucks on the road either. Instead, today’s post is going to talk about the technology they tap into – and just how this has transformed the way in which they work.

To do this, we are going to focus on a lot of the misinformation that is published about one of the newer technologies on the block; vehicle GPS tracking. This has changed the way in which many companies work for the better, but there are also some doubts about its effectiveness. Through the course of this post we will now take a look at some of the common myths which are associated with this technology.

In some ways, this is a very understandable conclusion. After all, the “tracking” element of the term immediately gives the impression that people are being “watched”.

Well, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Sure, some companies might track their vehicles for this reason, but it’s rarely the main factor. Instead, it’s all about making the most of their fleet on the road. These systems can analyze how a vehicle runs, and where it runs to, and in turn the company can build recommendations to make it more efficient. Plenty of studies have shown that the devices save fuel and maintenance costs – and the scale of this means that it far outweighs any “spying” possibilities that some people might have.

“Every GPS system is the same”

This is something which might be correct when it comes to standard satellite navigation – with most manufacturers running out of ideas when it comes to the advancement of products.

When it comes to GPS vehicle traffic, this isn’t the case in the slightest. Some have been designed to just track the most basic information, with this including the likes of time, distance and even a route.

Others take things a step further. The advanced systems can tell you everything from how many “hard brakes” there have been, right the way to an engine’s efficiency.

“GPS tracking systems are too expensive”

There’s no doubt that this is a completely understandable concern, and every company is going to be looking over their bottom line.

It could be said that the costs of these systems are decreasing, but this isn’t going to be enough to sway most businesses. Instead, it’s all about the way in which they can help a company save money. As we’ve already commented on, the way in which they can drive efficiency is bordering on the incredible. They can quickly identify ways in which companies are burning money, whether it’s through inefficient driving or just taking the wrong routes.

When the savings from these points are taken into account, the systems suddenly don’t seem to be that expensive after all.